Pasadena Council considers 'step' pay program for longtime police officers

ROBERT CROWE, Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle

Published 5:30 am, Thursday, October 31, 2002

In exchange for working for one company for 10, 15 or 20 years, employees usually want -- and often expect -- more than a pat on the back and a shiny pin.

For many years, that's about all Pasadena's longtime police officers have received -- in addition to regular cost-of-living and promotional raises -- for reaching major career milestones within the Pasadena Police Department.

That could change if the City Council approves a "step" program to give officers pay increases once they work 12, 16 and 20 years in the department.

The council on Tuesday deferred action on an ordinance to create the step program. Council members Jack Douglass, Phil Cayten and Jerri Neely said they did not have enough time to review the ordinance before taking action.

The Pasadena Police Officers Union has been lobbying for three years for the city to offer step increases beyond eight years of service.

Once they reach the eight-year milestone, Pasadena patrol officers and sergeants are locked into salaries of $52,163 and $61,606, respectively, until they leave or retire.

"It's kind of disappointing to see it tabled," said Sgt. K.W. Bonsal, union vice president. "I just hope it's not deferred next week."

The plan would increase patrol officers' pay to $53,727 at 12 years, $55,292 at 16 years and $56,587 at 20 years. Funds for the plan were included in the 2002-03 budget.

Bringing current officers in line with the steps during the 2002-03 budget would cost $574,000, of which $117,000 would come from the Crime Control and Prevention District. The total annual cost after 2002-03 should be between $574,000 and $1 million.

If the program is enacted, starting March 1, officers who qualify would see an increase in pay. Of Pasadena's approximate 259 officers, 28 would qualify for 16-year step raises and 45 would qualify for 20-year raises.

Mike Massey, assistant to the mayor for public safety, said the department's attrition rate of 10-13 percent is about average for Texas departments. However, it is becoming harder to find officers. He said fewer people are becoming officers, or some are even leaving the public safety profession.

"We have to stay competitive and retain and attract officers," Massey said.

Mayor John Manlove said he supports the step increase to reward longtime officers and give them incentives to stay with Pasadena.

"It's a big plan and a lot of money, and council needed to be comfortable with it," he said. "I think it's a good ordinance that gets us in line with Houston and surrounding cities, because we have to compete with them."

The council on Tuesday also deferred action on hiring a company to assess space and infrastructure needs for the proposed police and jail building. Before the council commits $84,500 to hire Phillips Swager Associates to do the study, it wants to have a meeting with company officials. That meeting could take place in the next two weeks.